By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
KC's casinos are spending millions to pummel voters with last-minute TV, print and radio ads aimed at passing Proposition A. Here's one final hope that Missouri voters reject the costly measure today.
The ad campaign is a hopeful sign: Casinos must have a poll showing that Missourians still need to be convinced that the state needs to be opened to a lot more gambling.
That poll also may show that Missourians aren't falling for casinos' claim that they will produce more money for the state's schools.
As I have noted before, many school districts -- including Kansas City, Independence and Center in our area -- won't get any more money up front if Proposition A passes.
Missouri doesn't need wide-open gambling, and the defeat of Proposition A would be a good move for the state.
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Thanks Yael...at least you
Thanks Yael...at least you are consistent. You support the government ruling our lives no matter what.
You support Obama's plan to use up to and including deadly force by the government to seize more money from hard working Americans so he can give it to whomever he wishes. And you support preventing Missourians from CHOOSING whether they want to lose more than $500 at a time in a casino.
I guess the only choice liberals approve of is abortion.
Vote YES on Prop A, for Missouri's Schools and KC's Economy
Here’s what Yael DOES NOT tell you, because he is so slanted in favor of Kansas gaining at the expense of Missouri schools:
As The Kansas City Star reported on Sept. 21, the state of Kansas’ own gaming consultant projects that if Proposition A doesn’t pass to allow Missouri casinos to compete on an equal footing, the new Hard Rock Casino & Hotel at the Kansas Speedway will siphon $174 million a year from the Missouri market, because Kansas won’t have the same outdated casino regulations. The Star’s report notes that this translates to a cut of up to $50 million in casino tax revenues earmarked for education. So we cannot afford a NO vote on Prop A.
As a home-dock community to a casino, Kansas City receives many other benefits that non-home-dock communities don’t necessarily receive. Each casino collects and pays to the state a $2 per visitor admission fee. This fee is divided equally between the state and the home-dock community. The share for the Kansas City area is projected to be up to $18.6 million annually, not including increased property taxes derived from new infrastructure projects. The community’s share may be used for a variety of things, such as public safety and public infrastructure, which benefits all residents. AND the state’s portion of the admission fee benefits programs including early childhood education (such as Parents as Teachers), and all districts, including Kansas City, are eligible for this funding. The state portion also helps boost college financial aid and veterans programs. Casinos provide thousands of good jobs with benefits for families in the Kansas City area, and many more jobs with casino vendors and retail establishments, from gas stations to restaurants.
Finally, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations’ own estimates of Prop A’s impact shows that schools not currently receiving state foundation formula funding - more than two dozen of them – pretty quickly start receiving state funds because of Prop A, and more could be eligible for state funding in the years ahead – funding they wouldn’t otherwise ever be eligible to receive, but for Prop A. Examples in the KC metro area are Grandview, Harrisonville and Excelsior Springs. KMBC-TV reported Monday night that there are huge windfalls for other districts, including Raytown, North Kansas City, Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs.
Our schools need the money, and Prop A will provide up to $130 million statewide every year without increasing taxes on any Missouri resident. I want to keep Missouri money in Missouri, NOT export it to Kansas. Join me in voting YES on Prop A!